NEW DELHI: The International Olympic Committee have suspended all Indian applications to host future events and urged international sports federations not to stage competitions in the country after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi.
The denial of entry visas for two shooters due to take part in a World Cup event this weekend followed last week’s attack by a Pakistan-based militant group in the disputed region of Kashmir, which killed at least 40 paramilitary police.
India has accused its neighbor of not doing enough to control the militant groups responsible for the Kashmir attacks. Pakistan has denied any involvement.
The IOC said the refusal of visas for competitors went against the principles of the Olympic charter relating to discrimination and political interference from the host country.
“Since becoming aware of the issue, and in spite of intense last-minute ... efforts ... and discussions with the Indian government authorities, no solution has been found to allow the Pakistani delegation to enter India in time to compete,” the IOC statement said.
“As a result, the IOC Executive Board also decided to suspend all discussions with the Indian NOC and government regarding the potential applications for hosting future sports and Olympic-related events in India,” it said.
The body also urged all international sports federations not to hold events in India, or grant hosting rights to the country for future competitions, until the government had provided “clear written guarantees” to ensure access for all athletes.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) last year laid out an ambitious roadmap to host the Youth Olympics in 2026, the Asian Games in 2030 and the Summer Olympics for the first time in 2032.
“It’s a big setback for sports in the country,” IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta told Reuters.
“We’ve been in constant touch with the government, trying to explain to them and convince them to grant visas to the Pakistani shooters. This is really unfortunate.”
Last year, a boxer from Kosovo, which India does not recognize as an independent state, was denied visa for the women’s world championships in New Delhi.
Boxing’s governing body AIBA criticized the decision and warned it might reopen the bidding process for the 2021 men’s championship due to take place in India.
“It’s really unfortunate that it happened again,” Mehta said.
“I spoke to IOC officials last night and the impression I got is that there could be more trouble for us. We at IOA will discuss the crisis with the government and try to find a way out.”
The Pakistani shooters were scheduled to take part in the 25m pistol event and the IOC said two spots at next year’s Tokyo Olympics that had been up for grabs in that competition had been revoked.
The International Shooting Sport Federation said on Wednesday it faced “an urgent situation as Pakistani athletes cannot get entry visas to participate in the competition” because of the Kashmir attack.
The IOC said Olympic berths would still be on the line in other events.
“The IOC restricted the withdrawal of recognition as an Olympic qualification event to the 25m rapid fire pistol competition in which the two Pakistani athletes were supposed to participate,” it said.
“This happened in the interest of the other 500 athletes from 61 countries participating in the other events who are already in India for their competition.”
Olympics-IOC urges India isolation after Pakistani athletes denied visas
Olympics-IOC urges India isolation after Pakistani athletes denied visas
- IOC suspends all Indian applications to host future events
- Move comes after two Pakistanis were denied visas to compete in New Delhi
Pakistan, Iran seek to boost economic cooperation through agriculture, improved connectivity
- Pakistan-Iran trade has hovered around $3 billion in recent years, with both countries pledging to take it to $10 billion
- Pakistan minister says improved connectivity, streamlined procedures and practical coordination can help achieve target
KARACHI: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday agreed to step up cooperation in agriculture and food security with a focus on improving connectivity and streamlining procedures to boost broader economic ties, the Pakistani food security ministry said.
Trade between Pakistan and Iran has hovered around $3 billion in recent years and both countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Feb. 2025 to take it to $10 billion.
Iran was prioritizing Pakistan’s rice, meat and other exports as part of a trade understanding reached between the two countries in Tehran, the Pakistani government said in Aug. last year.
On Tuesday, Iran’s agriculture minister Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh met Pakistani food security and commerce ministers in Islamabad to advance bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security.
“Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan also highlighted the importance of facilitating cooperation through improved connectivity, streamlined procedures, and practical coordination at the operational level,” the Pakistani food security ministry said.
“He emphasized that sustained engagement and mutual understanding would help unlock the full potential of bilateral relations across multiple sectors.”
Pakistan’s food security minister emphasized that agriculture remains a vital sector for ensuring food security, rural development, and economic stability in both countries, urging enhanced technical cooperation, exchange of expertise and strengthened coordination between relevant departments and research institutions.
The Iranian minister suggested closer cooperation in horticulture, livestock, crop management, and modern farming practices, noting that both countries possessed complementary strengths and could benefit from structured collaboration, joint initiatives and regular institutional dialogue, according to the Pakistani ministry.
Matters relating to agricultural exchange, research collaboration, capacity building, and facilitation of farmers and agri-business stakeholders were also discussed.
“The two sides acknowledged the need to promote joint research in areas such as water conservation, high-value crops, livestock improvement, and sustainable agricultural practices in view of shared climatic and environmental challenges,” the Pakistani food security ministry said.
“The ministers discussed ongoing collaboration under existing agreements, including cooperation in veterinary and animal health, plant protection and quarantine. Both sides agreed on the importance of effectively implementing signed agreements and expediting pending institutional mechanisms to ensure consistent progress.”
